Device for cleaning and electroplating balls



July 9, 1935- H. LE LAuRlN ET AL 2,007,204

DEVICE FOR CLEANING AND ELECTROPLATING' BALLS I Filed NOV. 16, 1931 3Sheets-Sheet l mi :mul I I IlII II IIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIH IIIIIIIIIHII I lilI IIII Im III llI Il III l III IIIIIIII IIIIlI:qIIIIIIIHIlIIIII ,1nlllilumllll I July 9, 1935- H. LE LAURIN r Al. 2,607,204

DEVICE FOR CLEANING AND ELECTROPLATING BALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.16, 1931 L n [A July 9, 1935. H. LE LAURIN E1' AL DEVICE FOR CLEANINGAND ELECTROPLATING BALLS Filed Nov.`16,', 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1purpose.

Patented July 9, 1935 t starei rer- PAT

DEvro Fon 'cLEAmN'G AND VELECTRO-y L PLATING BALLS Y HarryvLe Ilaurinand Alberty .1 Washington,

. Applieationnovember 16,1931, serial 510,575,430

' 13 claims; (Ci. 2ov4111,),5v1"1 (Granted under th act ofMach' isssfasY amended April 30, 1928;.7370 A0. `7 57) 1 `Our invention relates to adevicefor cleaning vmetal balls by anodic action and subsequentlyelectroplating them in oneioperation. Y Y

The object of our invention is to provide a machine that will keep theballs being plated in rotation at all times to present a continuouslyvarying point of contact with the current supply and continuously tochangev thesurface presented to the anode, whereby' auniform depositionover the entire surfaceis secured.

A further object is to subject theballsto a reversed action of thecurrent during a portion of the process to clean them by, anodic1action.

With the above Vand other objects in View, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement Vof parts as `will bedescribedmore fully hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming apartof thisspecification, in which like reference characters indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, and inwhich: y n

Figure V1 is a'section taken along the shaft that vsupports the rotatingelectrodes;

Figure 2 Vis a transverse section line 2 2, Figure l; l y Figure 3 ispartial transverse the line 3-3, Figure 1;

' Figure l is a sectional detail showing the connection of the cathodetrack to the shaft;

Figure 5 is a top: plan View of the machine;

Figure' 6'is a partial section on the line 6 6 Figure 5;

taken on the section, taken on Figure 'l' is a transverse section on theline '!-'i, Figurev 5;

Figure 8 is a' detail y 'rampsV on the cathode. track for changing thepoint of contact of the balls with the track.

plating vwith chro-nn'umpit isV to be understood that any of the metalsused for .electroplating' may be applied.v thereby. n Y

A Thetank toI contain the electroplating vsolution may be of anyconstruction' suited to the Shaft it is mountedfin bearings ll i thatare supported by members |2 l resting on the sides of tank 9. 'Y Theintermediate portion of shaft l!) isV made polygonal'as indicated atr |3to facilitate the securing of certain members thereto, as explainedhereafter. v

The cathode track i4, along which roll the balls Y 23 that are beingplated, is made up of the two v,The rst portion. 2t of the trackv illtraversed by a ball is connected to anode bars @Q and'alpiece of Y. fromhopper 3|.it rolls to the position 23- l, Figvievv showing one of theshaft'|05twiceainjeachlturn by electrically conducting straps l 1, ormore frequently if found deisirable.fr "Y `Between theturnsojf trackmllis a helix I3 of sheet lead, :Whichacts as the anode. Helix i8 is,

by meanslofg metal bracketsysupprted from and electrically connectedto'anovd'e Vbars I9 that j are connectedA tornetalsleeves Zilwhich arein- ;sulated .from shaft 2l by insulating-elements 22.

Anocle bars I9 are supported intermediate their 0 preferably either ofleadorare coated with lead to prevent contamination ofthe solution byVmetal that would be acted uponby that solution.

sheet leadhzconnected to shaft lll is disposedV adjacentgthereto, sothat the balls are for a .short time subjected Yto anodic action,whereby theyr are lcleaned. and made readily receptive of l the platingmetal.A The portion' 28 of the track 4is isolated from the remainder ofthe track by insulating members 3D.

When a bau V23 is delivered-'to trackportion 2a ure 5, Where vitremains`until carried downinto 30 the electrolyte by rotation of shaft iii,Where it remains While the shaft rotates sufciently to move itacross-insulating members Sil tothe cathiode-track, when .theball iscarried down into solution again land there remains at the lowest 5portion of the track until it has moved the length of the track toi/:thereversed portion 32, which picks it up and :discharges it to chute 33.While theball is in.;tlf1e. solution current is passing throughit to thetrack from anode helix H3,A and metal is deposited on it. Atintervalsramp elethroughout, which would result in Yuneven plat- 45ingyby presentingv changing surfaceV elements to contact with-the tracka uniform coat of metal on the ball-ishsecured. v l Y w Y .Balls23 `arekeptxseparat'ed on the track I4 by 50 delivering to the track one balleach rotationof the track.A This is done by gate 34 carried onresilientgniounting 355 at one endV of the gate that Vnormallyhangs lowenough to` prevent passage of ballsfrornlhopperl. {'Ihe` free end of 55VVVgate 34 has adown-turned end 3E that rides upon,

ring 3l fixed on anode bars I9 to rotate therewith. A cam boss 38 on thering contacts end 36, lifts gate 34, and permits a ball to pass out ofthe hopper, the length of boss 38 being just sufiicient to allow thedelivery of one'ball to the track, after which the gate moves down untilit is again raised by passage of the boss under end 36.

Current is supplied to anode bars I9 through,

positive cable 39 and bus bar 40. Split bearing sleeves (to which theanode bars I9 are connected) by springs 42, and conducting. straps 43connect bus bar to contact members 4|. The current is conducted awayfrom shaft III through split bearing contacts 44 thatbear on the shaft,and straps 45 connect the contacts 44. to negative bus bar 46 and cable41. Springs 48 insure a proper degree of pressure of contactsr 44 uponshaft I0.

The mechanism for rotating shaft III consists 'of a gear wheel 49mounted on shaft I0 and engaged with a worm 50 driven by belt 5I thatruns over pulley 52 on the shaft 53 of worm 50 and pulley 54 on shaft 55of motor 56, which for purpose of illustration is here shown asan airmotor, though any suitable prime mover may obviously be substituted.

Pipes 51 and 58 are respectively the inlet and exhaust for 'steamcirculated in coil.59 to heat thel solution. Pipes and 6I convey watert0 p and from coil 62 to cool the solution when necessary. The two coils59 and 62 serve jto control the temperature of the solution in tank 9within the limits necessary for successful electroplating.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Hopper 3| is loaded with balls 23, and motor 56 is started and the shaftls set in rotation. Boss 38 lifts gate 34 and permits a ball to rolldown upon the portion 28 of the track, where it is subjected to anodiccleaning while in the solution. The next revolution of the shaft causesthe ball to roll over to the cathode track I4, and the ball is carrieddown intoV the solution in tank 9, where it remains at the lowest partof the track as it is moved along the helical track. When the ballreaches the reflexed` portion 32 it can roll no farther, and so ispicked up and carried around until the reflexed portion starts down onthe other side of shaft I0, at which time the ball is discharged intochute 33. Throughout the time ball 23 is immersed in the solution, whileon track I4, the metal in Athe solution is being deposited upon theball, and as the part thereof in contact with the track is continuallychanging, a coating of uniform thickness over the whole surface of theball results. is continuous, it has a high output.

The length of time the balls are kept inthe solution may be controlledby the speed of rotation of the shaft YIII and also by the length of thetrack I4.

If the electrolyte used has high throwing capacity the spiral anode I8may be omitted and anodes suspended at the sides of the tank besubstituted therefor.

When, the electrolyte is such that it is not practical to clean theballs therein, a separate cleaning device may be used and the balls fedautomatically from the cleaning into the plating device. Y

The transfer of the ball from the anodic track to the cathodic track maybe effected in the solution where the amperage isnot so high as is usedY Vin chromium plating, but in the instance shown it is preferable tomake the change out of the As the operation of the device solution, asshown in Figure 5, to prevent danger of pitting the ball by arcing ofthe current as the ball breaks contact in the solution.

It will be understood that the above description comprehends only thegeneral and preferred ernbodirnent of our invention, and that variouschanges therein may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout sacrificing any of the advantages of our invention. contactVmembers 4I are held In vcontact with l The herein described inventionmay be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the UnitedStates for governmental purposes without the payment of any royaltythereon.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for electroplating balls, comprising a tank forelectrolyte, a shaft rotatably mounted above the level of electrolytetherein having a portion of its length of polygonal cross section,insulating members on said shaft at the ends of said portion, conductingsleeves secured on said insulating members, anode bars connected to saidsleeves, split-bearing contact members on said sleeves, springs disposedto retain said contact members against said sleeves, current supplymeans connected to said contact members, other split-bearing members onsaid shaft, springs to retain said other contact members in position,conducting elements connected to said other contact members, a cathodictrack formed of helically wound equidistantly spaced conducting barsconnected to the polygonal portion of said shaft, a spiral anode ofsheet lead connected to said anode bars, and disposed between the turnsof said track the said shaft lying along the axis of said track and saidspiral anode, an anodic track at the intake end of said cathodic trackmechanically connected to said cathodic track by insulating members, aportion of said anodic track being reflexed to lift a ball out of theelectrolyte while it is being transferred from one track to the other, areiiexed portion at the discharge end of said cathodic track to lift aball out of the electrolyte and discharge same from the track, a cathodeelement disposed adjacentl turned, and a ring on said cathode bars onwhich said down-turned end rides, said ring having a cam on itsperiphery disposed tov Contact said down-turned end to lift said gate tofeed a ball into said anodic track.

2. An apparatus for electroplating balls, comprising a tank forelectrolyte, a shaft rotatably mounted above the level of electrolytetherein, spaced insulating members on said shaft, conducting sleevessecured on said members, anode bars connected to said sleeves, splitcontact members around said sleeves, contractile means to hold saidcontact members in position, current supply means connected to saidcontact members, other split contact members on said shaft,currentconducting means connected to said other contact members, ahelical cathode track whereof the lower side is below the electrolytelevel adapted to convey balls connected to said shaft at a plurality ofpoints, a helical anode disposed between the turns of said cathodictrack and connected to said anode bars, an anodic track at the intakeend of said cathodic track mechanically connected to said cathodic trackby insulating of balls from said container, and means actuatable by therotation of Vsaid shaft to move said control means'to permit one ball ata time to pass from said container to said anodic track.

3. An apparatus for electroplating. balls, comprising a tank, a helicalcathodic track mounted to have its lower side immersed in electrolyte insaid tank, said track comprising two electrically conducting helicallywound bars equidistantlyv spaced fromrearch other,a helical sheet leadanode disposed between the 4turns of said track, a like anodic trackmechanically connected to the intake end ofA said cathodic track byinsulating members, a cathodic element adjacent to said anodic track,rotatable mounting'means for lsaid tracks, said anode and saidcathodicelement, a container for balls disposed to Vfeed balls to said anodictrack, means actuatable by the rotation of said mounting means tocontrol movement of balls from said'container, means to supply currentto said anodebars, and other means to conduct current away from thecathodicV track and cathodic element. Y

4. An apparatus for electroplating balls, 'comprising4 a rotatablymounted shaft, a helical cathodic track adapted to conveyV balls mountedon and electrically connectedto said shaft, a helical anode mounted onbut insulated from said shaft and disposed between the turns of saidcathodic track, means to feed balls on to said track, means to supplycurrent to said anode, and' other means to conduct current away fromsaid track.

5. An apparatus forelectroplating balls, com-V prising a rotatablymounted shaft, a helical cathodic. track adapted to convey balls mountedon and electrically connected to said shaft, a

helical anode mounted on but insulated from` said shaft and disposedbetween the turns of said cathodic track, meansV on'said track to impartrotation in addition to that due to the movement of said balls alongsaid track, means to feed balls on to said track, means to supplycurrent to said anode, and other means to conduct current away from saidtrack.

6..In an apparatus forV electroplating balls, aV helical cathodic track,a helical anode disposedY 7. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, amechanically continuous track to convey balls in electrolyte, said trackcomprising a continuously anodic portion and `a continuously cathodicportion insulated therefrom, an anode adjacent said cathodic portion,Vand a cathode adjacent said anodic portion, bothvthe anodic portion andthe cathodic portion operating at all times in the same body ofelectrolyte.

8. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a helical cathodic trackadapted to convey balls through electrolyte, said track having each turnthereof directly connected to the source of electrical supply, arotatable mounting therefor, and

lanode means disposed to dip into said electrolyte to pass current toballs carried by said track.

9. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a helical cathodic trackadapted to convey balls through electrolyte, a rotatable mountingthere-v f0ra container foryballs disposed to pass balls 1 to said track,a member disposed to retain balls in Vsaid container, means rotatablewith said mounting to move said member to release balls fromsaidcontainer one at each revolution of the mounting, and anode meansdisposed to dip into said electrolyte to pass current to balls carriedby said track.

10. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a cathodic trackcomprising two equidistantly spaced helically wound electricallyconducting barsto contact and form the sole support for the balls havinga reexed portion at one end to discharge balls therefrom into areceiving member placed laterally thereof, va rotatable mountingtherefor, and anode means ydisposed to pass current to vballs carriedbysaid track.

l1. In an vapparatus for electroplating balls, a cathodic trackcomprising two equidistantly spaced helically wound electricallyconducting bars to cdntact and form the sole support for the ballshaving a reilexed portion at one end to discharge balls therefrom into areceiving member placed laterally thereof, means fixed to said track toimpart to balls carried thereby rotational movement in addition tothatvdue to movement along said track, a rotatable mounting for said track,and' anode means disposed to pass current to balls carried by saidtrack.

12. In an apparatus for chromium plating balls, a mechanicallycontinuous track to convey a number of balls in electrolyte, each` ballseparately and out of contact with any other ball but always in contactwith the track, said track comprising a continuously anodic portion anda continuously cathodic portion insulated therefrom, an anode adjacentsaid cathodic. portion, and a cathode adjacent said anodic portion.

` 13. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a

helical cathodic track adapted to convey balls through electrolyte, arotatable mounting therefor, a container for balls disposed to passballs to said track, a member disposed to retain balls in saidcontainer, means rotatable with said mounting to move said member torelease balls from HARRY LE miURIN. ALBERT L. FRY.

